3 ms·

I'm curious... What benefit would you expect a high functioning autistic person like Alex (if he was) receive out of getting diagnosed?

noobermin 9y ago
I don't think s/he said it would result in benefit either way.
- Asparagirl 9y ago
  *she Yeah, it probably wouldn't have mattered to him one way or another, since he was apparently a happy and gainfully employed adult, but it's helpful to remember that autistic people have always been here, not some recent invention or "epidemic".
DanBC 9y ago
A diagnosis may have helped him get medical care, which would have prevented his early death. Diagnosis in and of itself is often welcomed by people with Autism. This is mentioned in all the English guidance (The Autism Act 2009, the Autism Act Statutory Guidance 2015; the NICE guidance 2012, the national strategy "Fulfilling and rewarding lives" and the newer national strategy "Think Autism") which all talks about the importance of diagnosis as a first step to understanding yourself and getting other people to accept you as you are. Diagnosis is also an important step in getting services you need.
- mercer 9y ago
  While I don't disagree with you on the benefits of a diagnosis, there is also a decidedly negative side to it. So much so that apparently it's a common practice to warn undiagnosed adults that they might not want to be diagnosed at this point, partly because they made it this far (to put it a bit bluntly) and partly because at least at this time there's not always much that can be done as far as treatment goes. That said, there's a high chance of comorbidity when it comes to things like OCD and AD(H?)D, and especially the latter can be treated. (I'm not a licensed psychologist, so don't take this as advice not to get diagnosed. Just providing a counterpoint.)

3 ms·

I'm curious... What benefit would you expect a high functioning autistic person like Alex (if he was) receive out of getting diagnosed?

by erikpukinskis 9y ago

noobermin 9y ago
I don't think s/he said it would result in benefit either way.
- Asparagirl 9y ago
  *she Yeah, it probably wouldn't have mattered to him one way or another, since he was apparently a happy and gainfully employed adult, but it's helpful to remember that autistic people have always been here, not some recent invention or "epidemic".
DanBC 9y ago
A diagnosis may have helped him get medical care, which would have prevented his early death. Diagnosis in and of itself is often welcomed by people with Autism. This is mentioned in all the English guidance (The Autism Act 2009, the Autism Act Statutory Guidance 2015; the NICE guidance 2012, the national strategy "Fulfilling and rewarding lives" and the newer national strategy "Think Autism") which all talks about the importance of diagnosis as a first step to understanding yourself and getting other people to accept you as you are. Diagnosis is also an important step in getting services you need.
- mercer 9y ago
  While I don't disagree with you on the benefits of a diagnosis, there is also a decidedly negative side to it. So much so that apparently it's a common practice to warn undiagnosed adults that they might not want to be diagnosed at this point, partly because they made it this far (to put it a bit bluntly) and partly because at least at this time there's not always much that can be done as far as treatment goes. That said, there's a high chance of comorbidity when it comes to things like OCD and AD(H?)D, and especially the latter can be treated. (I'm not a licensed psychologist, so don't take this as advice not to get diagnosed. Just providing a counterpoint.)